Scott Tired Of Sitting, Watching

Injury To Magic's Top Scorer Has Caused 15 Missed Games

PHOENIX — Dennis Scott, hobbled by a leg that seemingly won't heal, says he feels helpless for the first time since he began playing basketball as a youngster.

He has remained in Orlando while the Magic have been on a five-game western road trip, and he was in front of his TV set when the Magic played Phoenix late Friday night.

Scott, who said he has never had a significant injury, wishes he were playing rather than watching. He is suffering from inflammation in his right leg, and he may not return until after the All-Star break.

''I wish I knew what the answer was,'' Scott said. ''I can do everything fine except play basketball. Walking around, just doing things like a normal person - it's no problem. But when I get out on the court and try to push off the leg or start to play, then I feel the pain.''

Because of the injury, Scott has played in only 18 of the Magic's 33 games. No date has been set for his return, but the Magic will give Scott all the time he needs.

They have told him not to try to resume playing until the injury is fully healed. Continued rest has been prescribed, along with some anti-inflammatory drugs.

''We went through this with Andrew Toney (in Philadelphia), and we have just decided it is best to wait. We can't rush him,'' Magic General Manager Pat Williams said.

Toney was a guard for the 76ers while Williams was the Sixers' GM and Matt Guokas their coach. The Sixers reportedly put pressure on Toney to recover from a foot injury, and a controversy ensued when Toney rebelled. Toney's foot problems eventually ended his career with the 76ers.

Toney's case is a lot different from Scott's. There is no animosity between the Magic and Scott. But Williams and Guokas learned from Toney's case that it is difficult to question injuries.

''Dennis' injury is a little similar to Toney's in that it's all so mysterious,'' Williams said. ''But all we can do is wait and give Dennis all the time that he needs.''

Scott said he is tired of sitting around.

''I watch TV, go to the mall, watch more TV, call the guys on the road and watch more TV,'' he said. ''This is killing me because I have never been this hurt before. The few times I have had little minor bumps and bruises with the Magic, I have gone out and played with that. But this is something different. It's scary in a way, but I just have to try to be patient.''